Category Archives: Ecology

Wild About Gardens – by Chris Parapia

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Heather planting on Jubilee Walk

Heather planting on Jubilee Walk

A good number of Friends of Parkinson’s Park turned out on Saturday 26th October as part of the RHS Community Initiative ” Wild About Gardens” week.

We were very fortunate to have received 500 free crocus bulbs from the RHS and 500 free narcissi bulbs from the Groundwork Trust.

In addition we were kindly donated 8 bird boxes by Mr Nigel Jones a local bird enthusiast who also turned out on the day to put them up.

New bird boxes, donated by Nigel Jones

New bird boxes, donated by Nigel Jones

Chris and Barbara focussed on bulb planting at the farmgate entrance, Richard, Josie, Peter,  Heather and Bobby concentrated on Heather, Gorse and Broom planting over at the Jubilee Walk area of the park,  and Nigel and Liakat put up the boxes.

The weather was kind and we received lots of positive comments from local people walking through the park.

Thanks to everyone.

Wildflowers! – by Chris Parapia

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P1010680Summer will be shortly turning to autumn, but the beautiful wildflower area in Parkinson’s Park by the farmgate entrance has been a joy to see throughout the summer. What a transformation of the area from a “dog poo” and nettle infested area, to a spot where bees and other insects and wildlife are in profusion. A mixture of Ox Eye Daisies, Corncockles, Poppies, Cornflowers, Foxgloves and many more have been in constant flower.

Thanks to everyone who has planted, weeded and generally contributed to their upkeep.

All Our Stories – Bugs in May

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Andrew Grayson with his surveying equipment

Andrew Grayson with his surveying equipment

For the All Our Stories project we are looking at the natural, geological and cultural history of the Park.   Joanna Brooks is running the ecological project and in May asked Andrew Grayson, an experienced entomologist, and member of the Yorkshire Naturalist Union,  to survey the park for invertebrates.

Andrew came along on 22nd May 2013, and surveyed the Park between 12.25 and 14.40, on  a dryish but slightly breezy day, with temperatures varying between 12°C and 16°C.  The weather at the start was not ideal for insects, but a little later, Continue reading →

Edible Britain Project – by Chris Parapia

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Planting up herbs in the old felled tree

Planting up herbs in the old felled tree

After several months of hard work, flowers, herbs and vegetables are coming to fruition.

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Bedding the herbs

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this,  including teacher Matilda Brown and pupils Amelie Childs, Eleanor Boggs and Katy Pratt from St Oswalds School in Guiseley,  Heather and Bobby Brooks and Josie Brooks, Sue and Steve Magson, Richard and Gail Lamb, Barbara Winfield and all those local Continue reading →

Springtime in Guiseley

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Walking through the park this week you will no doubt have spotted the new flowers which are opening up daily.  Spring has finally sprung and plants which have been shivering and clinging onto life for months have been rewarded with warm, nurturing sunshine.  There has been very little rain over the last few weeks, which could become a problem if the dry conditions continue, but at the moment the plants are thriving.The most stunning area of the park has to be the woodland path from Greenshaw Terrace, which is carpeted with beautiful wood anemones and celandine

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There are still some cheerful daffodils around the park although the striking display along Jubilee walk has now gone over. Continue reading →

All Our Stories – Butterflies and Little Beasties by Josie Brooks

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Andy, (and Darren) installing the new bird and bat boxes. We will do surveys later in the year to see what they attract.

Andy, (and Darren) installing the new bird and bat boxes. We will do surveys later in the year to see what they attract.

Besides the geology and history of the park, the All Our Stories project wants to tell the ecological story of the land, as it goes hand in hand with the other two subjects.  Over the past few years two general ecological survey’s have been done – firstly by Bellway in March 2005, and then by the Wharfedale Naturalists in October 2011.

We have therefore started the AOS ecological project by putting together what has already been found out and then deciding what further survey work needs to be done to improve our knowledge of the Park’s development.

Both the previous studies point out the different conditions caused by the underlying geology – the lower slopes are much wetter than the top, particularly to the north west, where plant types indicated standing water and impeded drainage.  The land to the north of the park is an area of acid grassland, and the land to the south is semi-improved neutral grassland. Continue reading →

All Our Stories – Parkinson’s Park Was Once A Large River Delta

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David Leather, examining the tidal lamination in Fairy Dell

David Leather, examining the tidal lamination in Fairy Dell

As part of the Geology project Mr David Leather MSc, a local geology expert, member of Yorkshire Geological Society and author of guide books  on the Yorkshire Dales came to survey the Park in February –  recommended by the Wharfedale Naturalists.  David is doing a full report on his findings,  and making recommendations for how FOPP can capture the information so as to share the ancient story of the Park’s formation.

One of the first remarks of this retired geography teacher from Salts’ Grammar, as he stood looking out over the valley towards Wharfedale, was that the terrain was unusual, and not a typical ‘text book’ glacial landscape.

Looking at his maps,  the Park itself sits on and area of interlocking millstone and Guiseley grit layers that make up the Chevin.  These were laid down many millions of years ago, when the Park was part of a big river delta.  In the nearby quarry at Fairy Dell, there are signs of ‘tidal lamination’ – fine layers of rock laid down by tidal action, that David was Continue reading →

New Housing Development For Guiseley

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Andy & Darren Fix Up The New Boxes

Andy & Darren Fix Up The New Boxes

A new housing development went up in Parkinson’s Park this morning.  Darren Shepherd and Andy Cheetham, braved heady heights,  to nail a number of affordable homes for bats and birds to various trees around the park.

The boxes were donated by Peter and Joanna Brooks,  of Brooks Ecological, and were put in locations suitable for their hoped for inhabitants.  The bat boxes were places in a south facing direction, as high as the ‘developers’ dared, and had steps sawed into them for easier climbing (for the bats).   Apparently the bats like to live close together, so there are around three per tree.

The bird boxes were put facing north east – although colder there is less wind, (the prevailing wind is from the west) and less chance of ‘fried’ chick, should the sun deign to shine.

Now all we have to hope for is that some residents find them desireable enought to inhabit!!

Bird Watch – A Dancing Heron And Other Winter Wonders by Darren Shepherd

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Mandarin Duck on Yeadon Tarn

Mandarin Duck on Yeadon Tarn

Hello.  I am finally stirring from my winter slumber, and the over indulgences of Christmas!  The shortest day has been and gone,  and we can look forward to warmer weather next week.

The highlight of the birds seen in the park this winter is the Waxwing (bombycilla garullus).  A winter visitor from Northern Europe: a beautiful bird indeed: listen out for them flying over with a soft jingling call.

There are also a lot of Goldfinches around,  and some superb Bullfinches.  The male is a stunner in his striking red and black plumage.

I continue to see the Red Kite; even flying around in heavy snow; probably Continue reading →